Pregnancy & COVID-19: The Facts

This month, we’d like to take you through a couple of frequently-asked questions (FAQs) asked by many mums and dads (and bubs) about how to go about living healthy and comfortable lives during your pregnancy and post-partum journey!

Staying at home is tough, but with all the information you could possibly need at the tip of your fingers, how do you sort through the rubble to find exactly what you’re looking for? We’ve gone one step ahead – and asked our consultants everything you would want to know about keeping yourselves healthy (and sane) during this circuit-breaker.

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A: From the limited information we have, we still don’t know if pregnant women are more likely to get infected with COVID-19 or more likely to have serious complications from the virus compared to the general population.

During pregnancy, our immune systems, hormone levels, and circulatory systems change to nurture our baby. Some of these changes put us at an increased risk of complications from infections. Pregnant women often have more serious illnesses and complications from other respiratory infections like the common cold, flu, and other coronaviruses like SARS and MERS, but so far, we are not sure if this is the case for COVID-19.

There is some reason to be positive & optimistic that symptoms seem to be in the mild to moderate category for most pregnant women, which is similar to what we’re seeing in normal adult women. Typically, high fevers during pregnancy can possibly harm a growing fetud, especially in the first four months of pregnancy, because high fevers may possibly cause congenital defects.

Research is currently underway to understand the impacts of COVID 19 infection on pregnant women. Data are limited, but at present there is no evidence that they are at higher risk of severe illness than the general population.

However, due to changes in their bodies and immune systems, we know that pregnant women can be badly affected by some respiratory infections. It is therefore important that they take precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19, and report possible symptoms (including fever, cough or difficulty breathing) to their healthcare provider.

WHO will continue to review and update its information and advice as more evidence becomes available.

A: Importantly, you must avoid becoming infected with this virus. This means strict safe- distancing measures. Unless not possible, you do not leave home where there are crowds – which includes the supermarket, clinics, and crowded open space or parks. Ensure to practice vigorous handwash with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds – and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. If you are feeling unwell, please do stay at home by limiting your exposures to other people. When sneezing and coughing to ensure to use tissues and discard them responsibly.

Ultimately, It is highly important to keep yourselves healthy. Eat highly nutritious meals, keep yourself active, get plenty of quality sleep, manage stress well, good hydration, do not smoke or drink & also avoid anyone who smokes.

It is key to keep yourself safe, and protect yourselves and your fetus as well.